Spanish LaLiga Report: Real Madrid v Real Sociedad 10 February 2018

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick helped Real Madrid to a 5-2 win over Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu on Saturday.

Los Blancos wasted no time in gaining the upper hand, breaking the deadlock in the opening minute of the game. Ronaldo’s cross from the left was headed home by Lucas Vázquez.

They went agonizingly close to doubling their lead in the seventh minute, when Karim Benzema’s close-range effort hit the post. However, it was only a matter of time before the floodgates truly opened.

In the 27th minute, Marcelo picked out Ronaldo with a low ball in from the left and the Portuguese tapped in for a goal which had been on the cards for some time.

Ronaldo was denied another by the woodwork in the 33rd minute, but straight after the post kept out his volley, Toni Kroos fired a perfectly-placed shot into the top corner from just outside the box to all but seal the win.

Even then, Real Madrid weren’t finished. Ronaldo headed into the bottom corner from a Luka Modrić corner to extend the lead further in the 37th minute.

It was Sociedad’s turn to be denied by the post in the 53rd minute. Juanmi met a Sergio Canales corner with his head, but guided the ball into the woodwork.

However, their consolation goal finally arrived in the 74th minute. Jon Bautista slotted past Keylor Navas at the near post after receiving the ball from Mikel Oyarzabal.

Ronaldo responded in the 80th minute, wrapping up his hat-trick with a tap in from close range after Gerónimo Rulli spilled a Gareth Bale shot.

Asier Illarramendi then scored against his old club three minutes later, volleying home from Juanmi’s headed pass.

Ultimately, there was nothing Sociedad could do to make up for their dreadful start to the game. Real Madrid took their foot of the gas in the second half, but nevertheless secured a comfortable win.